The 22nd annual Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Race returns to Cranmore Mountain, March 9th – 11th. The event combines the best of skiing today with the nostalgia of yesterday, honoring the founding father of ski instruction, Austrian Hannes Schneider, who brought his world- renowned skills to North Conway and Cranmore Mountain in 1939. The three day event includes a new Friday night uphill race, Friday night welcome reception and Dual GS Race, vintage skiwear contest and silent auction on Saturday afternoon. All proceeds from the event benefit the New England Ski Museum.

The Schneider Sprint, a new event for Friday night, is a timed up and down ski touring race, with both a sport and pro division.

Sponsored by Eastern Mountain Sports of North Conway and Ski the Whites, registration for the Schneider Sprint begins at 4pm on Friday, March 9th in Cranmore’s Ticket Office. The cost to register is $25 and includes an exclusive Meister Cup pin and pasta dinner and awards immediately following on the third floor of the Main Base Lodge.

The Schneider Sprint will start in front of Zip’s Pub deck, where racers will complete a short obstacle course before heading into a transitioning area to gear up, then ascend to the top of Cranmore’s Competition Slope, and ski down a predetermined course, and concluding at the bottom of the North Slope. Awards will be given to the top three finishers. Racers will go out in two waves: a mass start at 5 pm for the pro division and a second mass start at 5:20 pm for the sport division.

EMS will provide alpine touring demo equipment from Dynafit, G3, Black Diamond and K2 for those who need it, included with registration. Participants who want to take advance of the demo equipment should call the EMS North Conway store at 603-356-5433 to reserve gear or visit the store before 5 pm on Thursday, March 8th.

Friday night, is also a Welcome Reception with buffet dinner for Saturday’s race participants, held in Zip’s Pub from 6pm-9pm, with music from the Bavarian Brothers Band from 6:30 pm-8 pm and torchlight parade at 8 pm.

Saturday’s festivities start at 9:15 am with the Opening Ceremony and posting of the colors by a 10th Mountain Division color guard, followed by a dual giant slalom race on the Alley trail. Racers will take their first run starting at 10am, and second run starting at 11:45 am. At 1:15 pm, the top four men and women will ski off to determine the winners of the individual trophies.

Also taking place Saturday afternoon, is a silent auction from 10:30 am– 3:20 pm in Zip’s Pub; Vintage Ski Wear Competition at 1:30 pm on the snow stage; awards ceremony on the snow stage at 2:45 pm; après Ski Bratwurst on Zip’s Deck from 3:30 pm – 5 pm; music from the Bavarian Brothers throughout the day; and an early fireworks display at 6 pm.

Race registration is $100 per person or $500 per 5-person team, and is open to skiers and riders of all ages and ability levels. Registration includes for each racer: the Friday night welcome reception and hearty Tyrolian buffet, an all-day lift ticket for Saturday, exclusive Meister Cup pin and event t-shirt, continental breakfast on Saturday, race day box lunch, après Ski Bratwurst on Saturday and support for the preservation of ski history.

Registration will be held in Zip’s Pub, Friday, March 9th from 4 pm-7 pm, and on Saturday morning, March 10th from 7:30 am-9 am. Racers are encouraged to register in advance, online at www.meistercup.org or by calling the New England Ski Museum at 1-800-639-4181.

There is no charge to be present as a spectator and all who are interested are strongly encouraged to attend.

Before or after the Schneider Race events, participants and spectators are encouraged to visit New England Ski Museum’s new Eastern Slope Branch, a brand new museum facility located just south of Schouler Park on North Conway’s Main Street. Beginning on February 24, the new museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Admission is free.

Post navigation

North Conway Expansion!

The Eastern Slope Branch of the New England Ski Museum is now Open Daily! Visit us in Downtown North Conway NH. The long-time location at Franconia Notch State Park has been, and will remain, our home after more than 30 years, but now we can promote skiing history in two locations!Learn More

NESM News

Shop Our Store

Membership:

New England Ski Museum

New England Ski Museum is a member supported non-profit organization dedicated to the history of skiing. We offer permanent and annually-changing exhibits, and invite you to visit our museum in beautiful Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire. Admission to the museum is always free.